Black Friday Survival Guide

Keep calm and score the best deal

It’s happening soon. The day that fills shoppers with adrenaline, excitement and the sense of infinite possibility. The biggest shopping day of the year – Black Friday. A whopping 154 million people went Black Friday shopping over the weekend last year, according to the National Retail Federation.

In other words, Black Friday is a big deal. You’re going to need to bring your A game. We put together a quick primer on what to wear and bring to survive this frenzied, fun day. Lace up your boots and let the games begin.

Caffeinate and hydrate

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Coffee is your best friend, especially if you’re staying up all night or getting to the stores extra early. You’re going to need the caffeine boost, so whether you pick up an espresso on the way or bring a thermos full of home-brewed coffee, this is a must. Pack healthy, energizing snacks like trail mix and protein bars (shopping is akin to a sport, after all). Also, having snacks will give you the extra boost when competing with other shoppers. A gentle boost, but a boost nonetheless.

Come prepared

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You’ve got to have something to carry all of those credit cards (or cash) in. Our Smooth Leather Tri-Fold Wallet is a solid choice to pick up. And our leather Cascade Falls Shopping Bag in deep tan is an excellent handbag to tote on your shopping expedition. The buffalo leather on these bags only get better with age, so you’ll want to keep this bag around for many more Black Fridays to come! Also, don’t let your fingers get cold and wear our women’s Long Knit Touchscreen Gloves or the men’s Heritage Nubuck Touchscreen Gloves for texting, online browsing and app surfing for the best deals or passing time in the checkout line.

Dress for comfort

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It goes without saying that comfort is key. If the temperature dips or snow or rain decide to make an appearance, a toasty coat and boots are crucial. For guys, the Scar Ridge Waterproof Parka is a great choice for its rugged yet street-ready look that will keep you warm if you’re hunkered down for the night. The fully seam-sealed outer mixed with the long lengtch will provide warmth and protection from the cold. Throw on our Chocurua Trail 8-inch Waterproof Boots because they’re not only downright warm, with 400 grams of Primaloft insulation, they mean business with their impressive height and anti-fatigue footbeds that will keep you comfortable on your feet in those long lines.

For women, we recommend our Mt. Kelsey Reversible Hooded Down Jacket because it’s incredibly warm (thanks to the duck down-filled insulation), yet has a sleek, slim silhouette perfect for hopping in and out of stores. Pull on our 6-inch Premium Velvet Waterproof Boots for a polished finish with stretchy skinnies that are comfy during the shopping spree. We love their jewel-toned styling combined with waterproof, seam-sealed construction and anti-fatigue footbed technology for all-day browsing.

BACK UP PLAN

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And if you’re not into going out amongst the crowds? Cozy up and shop online – we know just the place to start. Or, go break a sweat and work off that Thanksgiving feast by hitting up a spin class, yoga studio or venture out for an autumn hike (if weather allows). Maybe even enrich your mind a little and take a trip to a museum to combat that post-turkey slump. And if you can’t be bothered to leave the house - enjoy those leftovers, escape the drama, and hunker down for a Netflix binge-fest of Stranger Things. We won’t judge you.

But if you do brave Black Friday, may the odds be ever in your favor.

For the rest of the season, we’ve got you covered. Check out Timberland.com for the latest Black Friday week deals and steals.